Bovine Interaction
History of Cattle
Cattle are the domesticated descendants of an extinct animal called an Aurochs. Cattle were domesticated two different times and as a result, we have two different species of domestic cattle. One species, Bos indicus, are the types of cattle that are typically kept in really hot climates. The other, Bos taurus, are the types of cattle that are found in more temperate or cold climates like in Canada. There are 3 primary uses for cattle: dairy production, beef production, and as a draft animal. Cattle that are used as draft animals, meaning they pull or haul things, are called oxen. Although oxen are not very popular in North America anymore, they are still used in other parts of the world.
Bovine Terms
Cow – an adult female bovine that has had a calf
Heifer – a female bovine that has not had a calf
Steer – a castrated male bovine
Bull – an adult, uncastrated male bovine
Calf – a young bovine
Bull Calf – a male calf
Heifer Calf – a female calf
Meet our Teaching Herd
Meet a couple of our bovine UCVM herd members! At UCVM we have a herd of mostly holstein cows with a few jersey cows that help the students at UCVM learn. Check out the video below to learn a little bit about the difference between a jersey and holstein cow!
Bovine Handling and Restraint
Bovine Chute System
Cattle are considered herd animals and a prey species. This means that cattle can become very stressed if alone or approached by something they consider a threat, such as a person. In an attempt to decrease the stress of cattle during handling, a chute system was developed. This allows cattle to be handled in a lower stress situation, while also keeping the handler safe. This is a very important system to know how to use as a veterinarian, as you will utilize it during most procedures on cattle.
Bovine Haltering & Restraint
Bovine haltering and unhaltering is an important skill to practice and complete safely. It is important when putting on and taking off a halter that it is done in a specific way to decrease risk of injury. Knowing how to halter and unhalter cattle allows for procedures on the head or neck to be done safely.
Knowing how to correctly tie a knot is a really important skill in veterinary medicine. Learn how to tie a double half hitch knot and a quick release knot in the video below! Both of these knots are important for being able to restrain and treat cattle in a safe manner.
TIE A BOVINE SLIP KNOT
To practice the above bovine slip knot and half hitch knot you will need some rope from your swag bag! The rope that we recommend using for this activity is yellow. Please see the image to the right for reference.
To practice these knots you can practice tying your rope around chair/table legs or fence posts.
Enjoy practicing your bovine knots!
Bovine Handling: Hind End
Learn different handling techniques to help increase safety when working on the hind end of cattle. Learn when to complete a tail twist, tail jack and how to correctly use a bar in a chute. Also see how a pulse can be taken on a bovid in the video below.
Moving Cattle
FLIGHT ZONES
We can herd cattle and move them around by making use of their flight zones. The flight zone is an imaginary circle around the animal that if you enter it, the animal will try to move away until you are out of the circle again. This is part of a natural prey response. The size of an animal’s flight zone varies between individuals and can depend on things like species and previous exposure to humans. For example, a deer is going to have a much larger flight zone than a dairy cow. We also imagine that there is a line coming out straight from the animal’s shoulders. We call this line the point of balance. The point of balance can be used to manipulate the direction and speed the animal is moving in. By using our knowledge of an animal's flight zone we can move and herd cattle where we want them!
Point of Balance
There is a larger zone outside of the flight zone called the pressure zone. In the pressure zone, animals will usually watch you and try to see what you are doing. If you start to come close to their flight zone, some animals will start to slowly move away. This is the technique used to move beef cattle in a controlled and low stress way!
Point of Balance
If you move into the animal’s flight zone from behind the point of balance, the animal will move forward. And if you move closer to the animal, you can increase its speed.
Point of Balance
If you move in the animal’s flight zone from in front of the point of balance, the animal will turn and move in the opposite direction.
Point of Balance
If you are moving the animal and you cross the point of balance, the animal will stop.
Bovine Physical Exam
Physical Exam
Physical exams are one of the most important skills in veterinary medicine. It is important to understand how to complete a physical exam on cattle as there are many species differences, such as listening to rumen contractions, that must be considered in veterinary medicine. Learn some of the critical skills needed to complete a physical exam on a bovid in the video below.
Learn from Dr. Atkins, a Bovine Veterinarian!
Dr. Atkins, a now retired dairy veterinarian will teach you about the digestive system of cattle, show you how to correctly open the mouth of a bovid, and will walk you through how to complete one of the most important portions of a physical exam: the distant exam. The distant exam is critical in herd animals, as they are very good at hiding that something is wrong with them. Being able to notice subtle abnormalities will lead to providing these animals with care faster!
Bovine Vitals
You have now learned that during small animal and equine physical exams, we collect vitals and compare them to reference ranges! Look at the image on the right to see the references ranges for vitals in cattle!
Bovine Rectal Palpation
In order to determine whether or not a cow is pregnant or ready to get pregnant, veterinarians are able to palpate the female reproductive system rectally. This is a very important skill! Watch the video to learn more about the importance of and the technique of bovine rectal palpations.
* WARNING - DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME IF YOU HAVE CATTLE * This video is for educational and theory purposes only!
In your swag bags you will find 2 rectal palpation gloves! These gloves are just for fun and to show you that they go all the way to our shoulders!
Bovine Breeds
Cattle Breeds
Just like in dogs and horses, different breeds of cattle have been developed for different purposes! While there are breeds that were made to be multipurpose, the breeds we most commonly see in Canada can be divided into beef and dairy breeds. Beef breeds tend to be very muscular while dairy breeds are thinner and better suited for milk production!
Beef Breeds
Angus
This breed originated in Scotland. There are two different types of angus: Red Angus and Black Angus. Some places, like the United States, consider them to be two separate breeds. In Canada, they are registered as one breed.
Beef Breeds
Hereford
The Hereford was originally developed in England. They are easily recognizable with their red bodies and white faces. The white fur around their eyes makes them more susceptible to irritation or damage from the bright sun. As a result, certain eye problems are more common in the Hereford than other breeds.
Beef Breeds
Simmental
This breed was developed in Switzerland using several Swiss and German breeds. In some places they are multipurpose animals but in Canada they are primarily used in beef production. They are often red or gold with white patches. Like the Hereford, they often have white faces, but they have dark pigment around their eyes which helps protect them!
Dairy Breeds
Holstein
The Holstein originated in the Netherlands and it is the tallest dairy breed used in Canada. Their full name is Holstein-Friesian. They are known for producing extremely large volumes of milk and because of this, they are the most popular dairy cow in Canada by far! While Holsteins are often the classic black and white colour, they can also be red and white.
Dairy Breeds
Jersey
After the Holstein, the next most popular dairy breed in Canada is the Jersey! The breed originated on the island of Jersey in the English Channel. While Jerseys don’t produce as much milk as Holsteins, their milk is much higher in protein and butterfat.
Dairy Breeds
Ayrshire
The Ayrshire is the third most popular dairy breed in Canada. The breed was developed in Scotland and they are red and white in colour. In terms of production level, Ayrshires sit between the Jersey and the Holstein. They produce a greater volume of milk than a Jersey and their milk has a higher butterfat level than a Holstein!